Mitchell Starc’s milestone in day-night test matches has left Australia in command of the second Ashes test, with the home side taking a 282-run lead to stumps on day three with nine wickets in hand.
England capitulated from 150-2 to be all out for 236 in reply to Australia’s first-innings total of 473-9 declared.
Australia captain Steve Smith decided against enforcing the follow-on before the home side went to stumps Saturday at 45-1 with David Warner the man run out after a mid-wicket mix-up.
Under-pressure opener Marcus Harris survived both that and a crucial 17-over period under lights to finish unbeaten on 21 along with nightwatchman Michael Neser (2).
Australia remains unbeaten in the eight pink-ball tests it has played, partly because of game man-agement and partly because of skill.
A large chunk of that day-night expertise can be attributed to Starc.
No bowler enjoys using the pink ball as much as the left-hander, who claimed 4-37 in the first in-nings at Adelaide Oval.
His record now stands at 50 wickets — 18 ahead of next-best Josh Hazlewood — at an average of 18.
10 in day-night tests.
—APP
